Sound-indicator.



M. J. B. J. SGHMITT.

SOUND INDICATOR. (Application filed Aug. 28, 1899.)

(No Mcdel.)

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d 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

m MARIE JEAN BAPfisflzJosspa-r Soy-MFG? lnvenmr @womeys Patented May 29, I900.

No. 650,659. Patented May 29, I900.

m. J.- B. J. SCHMITT.

SOUND INDICATOR.

(Application filed Aug. 28, 1899.)

2 Sheets$heet 2.

(No Model.)

MARIE JEAN BAPfls1E JOSE-PH Sonmaff Wimesses Rs co.. mom-mp0" wuummcn, v. c.

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QOUND-INDICAlOfi.

SPECI'FIGATION forming part of Letters Ilatent No. 650,659, dated May 29, 1900-.

Application filed August 28, 1899. Serial No. 728,685. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.

Be it known that I, MARIE J nAN-BAPTIsrn JOSEPH SoHMITT, a citizen of the French Republic, residing at Anticosti Island, Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sound-Indicators; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to sound-indicators;

and one object is to provide a device of this character which is especially adapted for use on board ships.

A further object is to provide a sound-indicat-or which will accurately indicate the direction from whence the sound comes.

A further object is to provide a sound-indicator which is simple in construction, effective in operation, and which can be manufactured at a moderate cost.

To these ends the invention consists in a sound-indicator constructed substantially as illustrated and described, and defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a soundindicator constructed in accordance with this invention, showing the manner of using the same. Fig. 2 is a similar view, the casing be ing broken away to show the detailed construction.

In heavy and foggy weather it is very difficult for pilots and captains of vessels to accurately ascertain the direction from which comes the sound of fog-whistles, bells, and other signals. By means of the invention herein disclosed this difficulty is removed and renders it possible to ascertain with certainty and at once the direction from whence the sound comes, and thus be able to keep to their course and avert threatened danger.

In the drawings, A indicates the casing or protector or housing,which is preferably made of wood and is of any shape suitable and convenient for the intended purpose. A portion of the casing is open to provide access into the interior thereof. The casing may be supported upon a suitable standard or other support, so as to bring it within convenient nection with the compass, the direction from whence the sound comes.

Supported upon the'upper portion of the shaft B is the soundreceiver B, which is preferably trumpetshaped and by means of its construction and shape tends to magnifythe sound in a manner similar to the well-known megaphone-.

The open end I; or mouth of the receiver is preferably funnel-shaped and is connected with a vertically-disposed body portion 12, which is shaped substantially as shown, bein g considerably enlarged at its lower portion,

where it connects With the funnel-mouth b,-

and tapering in the shape of a cone to its eX- tremity 19 which is of comparatively-small diameter.

At a suitable point in the top of the casing A is journaled a hollow tube D, at the lower end of which are secured flexible earpieces d, which are preferably located within the cas ing, as shown in Fig. 1. The upper portion of the tube D extends over toward the upper extremity of the sound-receiver B, to which it is connected in any suitable manner, preferably by means of a flexible tubing 01, said connection being such as will allow the receiver to be rotated without disturbing the position of the tube D relative to the casing and without liability of the tube becoming buckled during such rotation.

On the shaft B is fixed a grooved pulley I), which is operatively connected by a suitable cord or belt I) with a groove-pulley e, fixed upon the shaft E, which shaft is journaled in a suitable bearing arranged in the top of the casing A. The lower portion of the shaft E is located Within the casing and is provided with an ordinary crank-handle e, by means of which the shaft E may be rotated. By this construction it will be seen that the sound receiver may be rotated without the operator being compelled. to change his position, which is an obvious advantage, in View of the fact that the apparatus is intended to be used in heavy Weather to indicate the approach of some other body. As the vessel carrying the apparatus must steer a course to pass out of danger and during such steering the receiver must be constantly kept in line with the direction of sound, the constant change of position of the operator in the absence of mechanism formed as herein shown makes the duty exceedingly irksome and tiresome, especially as it must be continued for a considerable length of time. In this present construction by reason of the handle 6 and the tube D being mounted in substantially-fixed posit-ion in the casing the operator does not change his position, he being enabled to operate the device accurately while in a sitting posture.

' The operator places the earpieces in his ears and rotates the crank-handle e, thereby turning the mouth of the sound-receiver until it points in the direction from whichthe sound comes, which is readily ascertained by its increased volume. The pointer, in connection with the compass, thus indicates the exact direction from which the sound comes.

While I have herein shown a preferred form of carrying my invention into efiect, yet I do not desire to limit myself to such preferred details of construction, but claim the right to use any and all modifications thereof which will serve to carry into effect the objects to be attained by this invention in so far as such ing a casing; a vertically-extendin g rotatable shaft inounted'therein; means operated from a fixed point in said casing, for rotating said shaft; a sound-receiver carried by said shaft; an ear-tube operatively connected to said receiver, said tube retaining a fixed position in said casing, whereby said receiver may be rotated Without disturbing the position 'of the operator; a compass located at the lower end of said shaft; and a pointer carried by said shaft, adapted to indicate the true direction of the sound.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

MARIE JEAN-BAP'IISTE JOSEPH SCIIMITT.

W'itnesses:

J. A. MARION,

J. A. D. BOYER. 

